From 103763.351@CompuServe.COM Fri May 3 22:58:00 1996 Date: 03 May 96 15:56:09 EDT From: "Michael S. Wilson" <103763.351@CompuServe.COM> To: Rita Subject: Hope you get this newsflsh1.8.txt XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ### NEWSFLASH ### >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Volume I, Issue 08 - May 3, 1996 Poetry, Essays, Mad Scribblings, etc. Submit your own craft here. Send to: mswilson@usa.pipeline.com - please limit materials to 4 pages or less - thanks. ********************************* Table Of Contents: 1. Contemplating Death - Ed. 2. Solar System Exploration - Ed. 3. The Compliment - Stan Wotring 4. Siri's Song - Stan Wotring 5. One Gay Man Made His Mark - Woody Nightshade """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CONTEMPLATING DEATH Sure - we all know it. As sure as we are born, we all face death. And we don't know the hour or day it will take place. I personally try to put it out of my mind, and make the days count for as much as I can. But sooner or later, God will yank my string, and it'll be see you later, it was nice while it lasted. I hope to make it to heaven - but my behavior is not the greatest, and I don't even make it to church. As if that were not bad enough, my preferred sexual partners are other men. According to some, that is an automatic ticket to hell right there. Well, I guess I'll party with the hypocrites, religious scammers, sadistic oppressors and all the other losers of the eternal gift. We'll take turns tormenting each other in new and creative ways, thousands of years of bondage and domination. Until then, religious nuts, let other people live their lives here on Earth how they see fit. Stay away from my soul - I don't want your help. ====================================================== SOLAR SYSTEM EXPANSION EFFORT. What if: There were a huge peace treaty signed by the major world powers. The western European countries, Great Britain, USA, and even Japan, China, etc were to sign a treaty agreeing to non-aggression for the next hundred year period. During this time, signatories agree to devote a full one-half of their pre-treaty defense expenditures to the purpose of exploring, settling, colonizing the Solar System. In so doing, techniques and technologies would be designed and developed to aid in this effort. A string of bases, way stations and automated beacons would be emplaced throughout the system, all the way out beyond Pluto/Charon. Settlements would be constructed in several places, and regular "shuttle" service would operate between these bases. This would be a unifying effort among all the parties, and would give everyone a common goal. The resulting advances and flow of new materials could aid in solving other, Earthly problems. Nanotechnology developed for space construction could also be used to design new AIDS drug therapies. Space-based energy/power systems could also be reflected in Earth-based designs. Perhaps hydroponics techniques used to feed early settlers could also be utilized in the battle against world hunger. The idea is that this massive research and cooperation would have several positive effects, not the least of which is to postpone any and all conflict for 100 years. The trick is to deal with rogue states that don't or won't follow the treaty. May have to have a NATO-like force to deal with the rogues. But it is felt by the author, this is a chance worth taking. We will spend the money on the military anyway - guaranteed, as long as human nature is what it is. So we might as well achieve several things at once with it, instead of simply more and more weapons of destruction. Let's go on a "war" of exploration! ################################################# SUBMISSIONS The Compliment Random words can be a treasure. They can make work an unexpected pleasure. Sometimes that is enough to sustain efforts. A kind word can illuminate the darkness of ignorance. Precious and dear are the words of a stranger. Stan Wotring (wotrin19@nfi.com) Siri's Song Kings and queens and royal things with the poet as a jester. Beautiful warriors brandish weapons made at the philosopher's hand. Logic has no temper, brittle to the knaves touch. As a single ingredient it will not fashion an empire. Only as an alloy will it form the fabric of an everlasting civilization. The poet can produce harmony to mold the metal into a singing sword capable of annihilating self-rebellion. Stan Wotring - (wotrin19@nfi.com) For Andrew Sullivan, Editor, The New Republic. ONE GAY MAN MADE HIS MARK. Who reads the New Republic? It has elegance and style, But, although it's sharp and slick, It's not the O.J. Trial. The masses never read it, But it's a power in the Beltway. Its opinion, if they heed it, Might have the power to sway The public's comprehension of our national affairs. Thus it's pertinent to mention Someone who deserves our prayers: Its editor has just resigned-- He was diagnosed with AIDS. Openly gay, perhaps it defined How he dealt with Capital charades. Five years with him at the helm Increased circulation a lot. The political and social realm Seems very topical and hot. Who reads the NEW REPUBLIC? Andrew Sullivan can bow: Subscription rolls are grown thick With a lot more people now. (c) 1996 Woody Nightshade ************************************ Quotable Quotes: Love is the reward of love. - Schiller A soft answer turneth away wrath; But grievous words stir up anger. - Old Testament What is bitter to endure may be sweet to remember. - Anonymous ############################################### Thanks for taking the time to read this. Feel free to contribute your own efforts too. Home: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MWilson_9 End of Issue 08 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@